Fabio Cordella has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur are one of the clubs to have made a contract offer to AC Milan forward Rafael Leao.
Leao has turned several heads with his performances for Milan over the last few years and the 23-year-old has also been capped 11 times by Portugal.
The versatile forward, who has been used up front as well as on the left, has been in scintillating form since the start of the season, with four goals and seven assists to his name so far in all competitions (Transfermarkt).
Leao’s future appears uncertain at the moment, with his current contract at the San Siro running until 2024.
Cordella, who has served as the sporting director for the likes of Budapest Honved FC and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the past, has now revealed that Leao is stalling on signing a new contract with the Rossoneri.
He explained that Premier League clubs such as Spurs, Chelsea and Manchester City are prepared to offer the forward a much higher salary than the Serie A giants can afford.
Cordella said on Calciomercato.it’s broadcast on TV Play: “Milan do not have the means and do not want to have the means to match the demands of the entourage. The boy did not grow up in Milan, he did not stick to the Rossoneri colours.
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“When offers arrive with triple the salary from other parts of the world, it is difficult to keep him. Leão will only renew on his terms, not Milan’s.
“The Portuguese only look at the numbers. Such a young player, who knows he can take three to four times more, doesn’t want to stay in Milan. Are you asking for €7m a year? No more.
“There are prestigious clubs where a young boy like Leão can marry a cause and make history like Totti at Roma while moving only for the money may not happen.
“There are clubs that have offered even ten million a year to Leão. Saying Chelsea is not silly, but there are other English clubs on him, including Tottenham.
“But in my opinion Leao, far from the lights of San Siro, would not be the Leão of Milan, but just a phenomenon among many. It is not obvious that he will go to Manchester City and it is not obvious that then City will win the Champions League.”
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I have no doubt that several Premier League clubs will be sniffing around Leao in January, given the start he has had to the season. If the winger is not willing to sign a new deal at the San Siro, Milan will likely be tempted to sell him at the earliest opportunity in order to get as big a transfer fee as possible.
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